MIAM

Wednesday, 29 January 2014

I've a card to show you today and never has Made in a Muddle been more true, it's fair to say the craft room needs mucking out as I was almost knee deep in double sided carrier tape and paper offcuts. I'm linking to the following challenges:

I stamped a border using a stamp from SU's Vintage Vogue set and several shades of purple ink. I cut the heart shapes using Xcut dies and decorated with tiny gems, the sentiment is by Penny Black. (I believe) I haven't had much time for crafts lately what with the gym and other stuff. I recently had an hour one-to-one session with a personal trainer which was included when I joined up. I staggered out of the place with legs like jelly and wasn't able to sit down without lowering myself gently on the chair... or loo, for 5 days! Going upstairs was also a problem and as for going down...absolute torture! To say I felt ancient and decrepit is an understatement but happily I am now fully recovered and working those neglected muscles like never before.

This interminable rain is getting on my wick and hampering any impromtu outings, but fortunately last Saturday it was fine as I went down to Brighton to celebrate my friend Jools' 50th birthday.

We all met in Havana's for a few bottles of vino and there was much cackling as some of us hadn't seen each other for years.

We then adjourned to Brown's for lunch

Caledonian Airways class of '89

and afterward partook of a few more sherries at the next door cocktail bar.

It was such a brilliant day but in order to make the last bus back to my village I had to leave before the party was over. I very rarely take buses and certainly never late at night. I was surprised to find a jovial atmosphere on board and several lone male passengers were most cordial to me. In a funny sort of way it was the perfect end to a rather fantastic day.

Anyone else enjoying BBC2's The Great Interior Design Challenge ? I do like a nosey around other peoples homes, do you?

Saturday, 11 January 2014

Well I took the plunge and joined a gym and earlier today I had my induction with a muscle bound instructor who put me through my paces. Blimey, it's fair to say I sweated buckets and at one point felt in danger of falling off the treadmill with dizziness. But no, I persevered and managed 3km's before staggering off it in search of a sitting down machine where I could recover. My colleague (a long standing gym member) told me I would feel invigorated afterwards but all I felt was knackered...it was a good move to do the housework before I went.

This afternoon I managed nothing more strenuous than making a card for this week's Less Is More challenge - Hearts... with the added stipulation One Layer. Here's what I did.

I also did one in another colourway.

I made masks for the petal/leaf with an Xcut heart die and hand cut a mask for the flower stem, then sponged ink through the aperture. Liquid Pearls provided some texture in the centres. The sentiment is from a set by Hero Arts or Penny Black, can't remember which.

Sunday, 5 January 2014

After a trip the The Glitter Pot sale on Friday (very disappointing) I was fired with enthusiasm for card making. There were some lovely samples in the shop which provided inspiration, something I'm always lacking and I spent Friday evening in my craft room, sticking and inking.....(stinking?) Yesterday saw the return of the Less Is More challenge after the xmas break so I had a bash at this week's theme - Winter Blues.

Very rarely do I have a clear idea for my cards, they usually evolve and this one was no exception. I think I may have gone overboard with the foliage and the ring on top of the birdcage failed to stamp properly so had to be rescued with a bow.Nevertheless I am still pleased with it.

Twiggy Branches are from Inkylicious and the birdcage is by Hobbycraft. Also linking to Artful Times.I'm off out now to look at a couple of gyms with the idea of joining if I can get a good deal. I've got an airline reunion 'do' next month and I don't want to look like a lard arse.

Friday, 3 January 2014

It's all over for another year and thankfully mine was uneventful, by that I mean we had power and weren't flooded unlike other poor souls in Sussex. The chaos at work was well documented on the news and in the tabloids but lucky me, I was on days off so managed to avoid all that.

The indoor fireworks were a hit although little Lara seemed unimpressed.

Presents...I had a few. Now why do I always get something phallus related from my colleagues...?

(They know me well though, I'm always cold so this hot water bottle will be well used) Last year it was chocolate dicks, I dread to think what it'll be next year!

Lovely crochet book....

....slippers and P&P DVD. I caught the first two episodes of Death Comes to Pemberly at xmas but missed the final one, Mr Darcy was less than enigmatic I thought.

New years resolutions? Nah, not bothering with that shite but am hoping to join a gym to fight the flab. It's been slowly creeping on these last few months and I can't blame it all on middle-aged spread, time to take action. After the excesses of Christmas I'm feeling a bit like this.

So of course what's the first thing you do when you're trying to lose weight...go out for a ruby with the girls obvs! No really I am serious about this, you'll just have to take my word for it.

I'm planning on having a clear out of sorts as well. I get a charity bag through the door at least once a week it won't be hard to fill it. I've got books galore and plenty of 'stuff' I'm sure the chazzas will be glad of.

The sun has just made a brief appearance and hilighted all the dust, cat hair and filthy windows hereabouts so I'd better go and get myself reacquainted with the duster.